Sheet feeding apparatus



July 16, 1940. E w, GOODWlN 2,208,304

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR EDWIN W. GOODWIN 00 ATTORNEY July 16, 1940.

E. w. GOODWIN SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWIN W. GOODWIN ATTORNEY July 16, 1940.

E. w. GOODWIN SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR iFEDWIN W. GOODWIN .4. $4M ATTORNEY y 6, 1940. E. w. sooowm 2,208,304

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR EDWIN W. GOODWI N ATTOR N EY 916, 1940.- wgm w 2,208,304

SHEET FEEDING APPARA'QUS Filed April 15, 1959 a Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BYEDWIN W. GOODWIN a. M E ATTORNEY July 16, 1940, l E. w. GQODWIN 2,208,304

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR EDWIN W. GOODWIN ATTORNEY July 16, 1940. w Qpwm I 2,208,304

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 R 1 Y L k9 65 E 5 fires 69 g INVENTOR EDWINWGOODWIN ATTORNEY 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR July 16, 1940. E. w. GOODWIN SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1959 EDWIN W. GOODWIN a W ATToRNEY July 16, 1940. E. w. eooowm SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR BY EDWIN W. GQODWIN ATTORNEY%L Patented July 16, 1940 PATENT OFFICE SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Edwin W. Goodwin, New Rochelle, N. Y., assignor to Dexter Folder Company, Pearl River, N. Y., a corporation of New York 4 Application April 15, 1939, Serial No. 267,963

4'7 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet feeders "and more particularly to the sheet separating mechanisms employed in the feeding of sheets from a supply or pile thereof carried on the feeder.

In United States Patent No. 1,475,621 granted November 2'7, 1923, there is disclosed sheet separating mechanism including rotary pick-ups for lifting and continuously maintaining in lifted condition upper rear corners of a pile or supply of sheets, in order to facilitate separation and v forwarding of the sheets in succession from the supply by the sheet separating and forwarding devices. These rotary pick-ups or lifters have heretofore been very satisfactory in actual practice and for many years have been standard parts of a widely used commercial embodiment of the invention disclosed and claimed in the patent above referred to.

In some cases, however, and more particularly with reference to certain grades of paper, it was found that the rotary pick-ups or lifters when operating in the supply of sheets would scratch, nick, or otherwise disfigure the sheets. In view of the increasingly rigid requirements of the trade in recent years for better and more perfect work, this scratching, nicking, or disfiguring of the sheets has resulted in serious objection thereto by the trade because of the necessity for discarding such disfigured sheets with resulting losses in time, materials, production and profits.

It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide improved means for separating and continuously maintaining in separated condition a portion or portions of a supply of sheets without in any way marking or disfiguring them, thus overcoming the objections above referred to. Another object of the present invention is to provide improved mechanism for separating and. continuously maintaining in separated condition a portion or portions of a supply of sheets and which mechanism is so constructed and operated that the separation may be effected without damage to the sheets by relatively advancing and retracting certain elements by which the separation is effected. s

In the United States Patent No. 1,475,621 above referred to there is also disclosed sheet combing means and pneumatic sheet separating means acting in conjunction with the rotary pick-ups to separate the sheets one from another in succession preparatory to forwarding them in lf're manher to the printing press or other machine to be fed. These devices have also generally worked very well in the widely used commercial .embodiment of the invention disclosed in said patent.

It has been found, however, that sometimes ad-r justment 'of the pneumatic sheet separating means has been necessary after the feeder has been started and this has required stopping of the feeder in order to make the necessary adjust- 6 ments of said sheet separating means, Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide improved sheet separating mechanism of the type specified and wherein adjustment of the pneumatic sheet separating 10 means to obtain the best and most accurate separation can be made while the feeder is in operation.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide improvements in the arrangement, 15 driving, adjustability, and operation of the pneumatic devices employed in sheetfeeders to separate and forward the sheets and which improvements enable said devices to be readily moved to different operative positions without disturbing 20 the driving and pneumatic connections for the respective devices with their sources of power, vacuum, and air under pressure.

These and other objects of the present invention will appear as the following description thereof proceeds and in order to more clearly understand said invention one embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a. fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of a sheet feeder constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the feeder shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of said feeder, with parts omitted and broken away for purposes of clearer illustration, showing pneumatic supply and control devices;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view, with parts omitted for purposes of clearer illustration, showing sheet separating and forwarding devices and operating means therefor;

- Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the sheet separating mechanismsshown in Fig. 2 looking from the right thereof;

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of said sheet separating mechanism and driving means for movable parts thereof;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 'l--'l of Fig, 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of pile and sheet winding means shown in Fig. 7 looking from the left thereof;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing sheet separating means and adjusting means therefor and omitting the pile and sheet winding means;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 6;

Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive are diagrammatic side elevations of sheet supply or pile corner separating means in successive positions of operation thereof;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the supply or pile corner separating means with elements thereof spread apart for purposes of clearer illustration;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the supply or pile corner separating means;

Figs-l8 and 19 are vertical sectional views on the lines Iii-l8 and [9-19 respectively of Fig. 1'7;

Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive are diagrammatic rear elevations of the sheet separating mechanism showing successively different positions of the parts during one cycle of operation of said mechanism; and

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic rear elevation of the sheet separating mechanisms showing their location at opposite rear corners of the supply and the positions of the parts preparatory to completion of separation of the top sheet from the one below.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views. the various movable parts of the feeder. as well as certain stationary parts thereof, are all mounted on a frame best shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of said drawings. Said frame is comprised by front uprights 5 and rear uprights 6, the front uprights 5 having heads "I bolted or otherwise suitably secured. thereto and the rear uprights 6 having heads 8 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The heads I and 8, in turn, have side members 3 and i0 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The front heads I are connected; together by '-a channel member ll bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto, and the rear heads 8 are connected together by a stay shaft l2 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

Extending transversely of the feeder and driven from any suitable source of power is a shaft l3- each end of which is joui-nalled in a bracket l4 (Fig. 1) bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the adjacent head I. This shaft l3 carries on each end thereof a worm I5 located in a suitable opening in the adjacent head I in which is also located a worm gear 46 which meshes with and is driven by the adjacent worm l5.

Extending longitudinally of the feeder near the top and at opposite sides thereof are shafts l1 Figs. 1 and 2) each having fixed thereon a worm gear I6 and said shafts are journalled in suitable bearings on the feeder frame. Fixed on the shafts I! are sheaves I8 provided with teeth that are engaged by the links of chains I!) which pass over said sheaves and have corresponding ends attached by couplings 20 to the side bars 2| of a pile elevator including said chains. This elevator also includes beams 22 extending transversely of the feeder and supported on the-side bars 2|. The beams 22 are provided at the tops thereof with anti-friction bearings 23 and said elevator is constructed to receive and support a pile board 24 and a pile of sheets 25 thereon. The pile boar'd rests on the anti-friction bearings 23 so that saidboard and pile of sheets may be readily adjusted sidewise on the elevator.

- The The elevator may be lowered to load it, and raised to bring the top of the pile to proper position for feeding, by any suitable means for these purposes. Shaft 13 is then intermittently rotated in the usual manner by any well knownmeans to raise the elevator step by step in order to maintain the top of the pile at the proper level as the sheets are fed therefrom in succession by means for this purpose hereinafter described. The construction of the pile elevator and its oporation for purposes of loading and feeding sheets are well understood in the art and since the elevator per se forms no part of the present invention further description thereof is unnecessary. It is pointed out, however. that during step by step upward movement of the elevator imparted thereto as sheets are being fed off the top of the pile, the front of the pile is guided by pile guides 26 (Fig. l) and the topmost sheets are jogged by fingers 21 (Figs. 1 and 4) during the intervals between feeding of each sheet from the top of the pile. The pile guides 25 are secured in any suitable manner on the feeder frame and the jogger fingers 21 are mounted and operated in any suitable manner.

The sheet separating mechanisms hereinafter referred to have certain mechanically actuated parts which, of course. require mechanism for driving and operating them and said mechanism is preferably comprised by the following instrumentalities. Extending transversely of the feeder and driven in any suitable manner is a shaft 28 the opposite ends of which are journalled in suitable bearings on the front heads I Figs. 1 and 4) This shaft 28 has fixed thereon a bevel gear 29 which meshes with a similar gear 30 that is fixed on the lower end of a vertical shaft 3| journalled at one side of the feeder in suitable hearings on one of the front heads 1. The vertical shaft 3| has fixed on the upper end thereof a bevel gear 32 which meshes with a similar gear33 that is fixed on the forward end of a horizontally extending shaft 34 located at the top and one side of the feeder and journalled in suitable hearings on one of the side members l0 and one of the rear heads 8.

Slidably mounted on the shaft 34 and also on one of the side members I0 is a bracket 35 which has bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto a hollow square bar 36 Figs. 1, 3 and 4) that extends transversely of the feeder and is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a bracket 31 that is slidably mounted'on the other side member Keyed to the shaft 34 and slidable therealong with the bracket 35 is a bevel gear 38 (Fig. 4) which meshes with a similar gear 39. This gear 39 is fixed on a cross shaft 40 journalled in a suitable bearing on the bracket 35.

The cross shaft 40 extends through and is journalled in rotary valve mechanisms indicated broadly at 4| and 42 which are mounted on the hollow cross bar 36 and secured thereto in any suitable manner (Figs. 2 and 3). These valve mechanisms will be hereinafter described and their rotating parts are driven by the shaft 40. sheet separating mechanisms, indicated broadly at 43 in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 to 9 inclusive of the dr awings,.are located one adjacent each rear nected with and operated by power transmission units indicated broadly at 44 which units, in turn,

are driven by the shaft 40 and are mounted on and adjustable along the hollow cross bar 36.

As herein shown, there are two power transmission units 44 located adjacent upper rear corners of the pile of sheets 25 for operating two sheet separating mechanisms similarly located and since the constructions of the two units 44 are identical a description of one will suffice for both. Each power transmission unit 44 is enclosed in a two part housing the upper member of which isindicated at 45 and the lower member of which is indicated at 46 (Figs. 1, 4 and 6). The upper housing member 45 fits over and is supported on the hollow cross bar 36 and for this purpose said housing member is provided with a square slot 41 to receive said bar. The lower housing member 46 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as shown at 48 in Fig. 1, to the upper housing member 45 under the hollow cross bar 36.

Each power transmission unit 44 includes a bevel gear, 49 keyed to and slidable along the shaft 49 (Figs. 4 and 6). Bevel gear 49 is located between one side wall of the upper housing member 45 and a bevel gear 56 which meshes with said bevel gear 49. Each bevel gear 58 is secured to or formed integrally with a spur gear and said gears are journalled on a vertical stud 52 extending upwardly through the lower housing member 46 and secured thereto in any suitable manner. spur pinion 53 that is keyed on a vertical shaft 54 slidable vertically through said spur pinion and its tubular hub 55 and also slidable through a suitable opening in the upper housing member 45. The hub 55 of each spur pinion 53 extends through a suitable opening in its lower housing member 46 and vertical displacement of the pinion is prevented by a collar 56 secured to said hub exteriorly of the lower housing member 46 and bearing against the same.

Each separating mechanism 43 is mounted on the housing of one of the power transmitting units 44 for adjustment vertically; with respect thereto and also for adjustment therewith along the hollow cross bar 36. Further, vertical adjustment of the separating mechanisms 43 may be effected without disturbing driving connections between their movable parts and the power transmission units 44. Said movable parts of the separator mechanisms are enclosed in and carried by housings (Figs. 2 and 5 to 9, inclusive) each comprising a main housing member 51, end plates 56 and 59 at opposite sides of the member 51 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto, and removable cover plates 66 and 6| located between the end plates 58 and 59 and removably secured, as by set screws 62 (Fig. 2), to the main housing member 51.

'The housings for the transmission units 44 each have extending loosely through a suitable opening in the upper member 45 a vertical threaded shaft 63 (Figs. 1, 4, 6 and '1) which also passes through a slot formed in the forward edge of the lower housing member 46. Each shaft 63 passes through a suitable opening in and has threaded engagement with a square block 64 mounted on the upper adjacent housing member 45 and bearing against a vertical guide 65 which prevents rotation of said block when the shaft 63 is rotated to vertically adjust the separator mechanism as hereinafter described. Each guide 65 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured as at 66 to the front face of the adjacent upper housing mem ber 45. Formed integrally with each housing member 51 is a vertical bracket 61 which bears Each spur gear 5| meshes with a against the rear face of the adjacent guide 65.

Mounted on each guide 65 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured as at 66 on the adjacent bracket 61 is a slide 69. 1

It will thus appear that through the provision of the slides 69 and their connections with the brackets 61 that the separator mechanism housings and all parts carried thereby may be adjusted vertically on the guides 65. For this purpose, each shaft 63 extends loosely through a suitable opening in the adjacent bracket 61 and has fixed on its lower projecting end a. spiral gear 18 located in an open recess at the top and front of the adjacent housing member 51. Also located in said opening and meshing with the spiral gear 16 of each unit 43 is a similar gear 1| that is fixed on a horizontal shaft 12 journalled in suitable bearings in the adjacent housing member 51 and projecting therethro'ugh rearwardly thereof. Fixed on the rearwardly projecting end of each shaft 12 is a handle 13 which, when turned, drives the threaded shaft 63 and raises or lowers the entire separator mechanism in accordance with the direction of rotation of the handle 13 and through threaded engagement of the shaft 63 with the block 64.

Raising or lowering movement of each separator mechanism is accompanied by corresponding movement ofits shaft 54 without disturbing the driving connections for said shaft with its power transmission unit 44 and driven parts of the corresponding separator mechanism. Accordingly, each shaft 54-extends through and is journalled in a suitable. bearing provided by a boss 14 (Fig. 6) in the adjacent housing member 51 and there is fixed on said shaft within the.

housing a bevel gear 15 the hub of which bears against the end of said boss. There is also fixed on each shaft 54' exteriorly of its housing member 51 a collar 16 which .bears against said member on the top thereof. Each bevel gear 15 meshes with a similar gear 11 (Figs. 6 and compounded with a spur gear 18 that is fixed on a driven shaft 19 journalled in suitable bearings in the side plates 58 and 59 and projecting outwardly beyond the plate 56.

Each spur gear 18 meshes with a similar gear 80 that is fixed on a shaft 8|. Each shaft 8| is journalled in suitable bearings in side plates 58 and 59 and one end of said shaft projects through plate 59 outwardly beyond the same. Loosely mounted on the outwardly projecting end of each shaft 6| is a plate 62 the forward end of which is retained in a definite downward position by a stop 83 formed integrally with the plate and bearing against the under, flattened side 64 of a pin 85 (Figs. 5 and '1) which projects outwardly from the side plate 59 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner. Fixed on a reduced portion 86 (Figs. 5 and 10) of each shaft 8| that projects outwardly beyond the adjacent plate 82 is a small sprocket 81'around which passes a chain 68 that also passes around a somewhat larger sprocket 89.

Each sprocket 69 is loosely mounted on a sleeve 98 (Fig. 17) provided with a head 9| bearing against the adjacent plate 82 and spacing said sprocket therefrom. Each sleeve 90 is fixed on a shaft 92 journalled in a suitable bearing in the forward end of the adjacent plate 82 and projecting therethrough at both sides thereof. Mounted on each sleeve 90 and fixed thereto by a pin 93 that also fixes said sleeve to the shaft 92, is a slip clutch 94 having spring pressed ball elements 95 yieldably engaged in suitable recesses singly in a rapid and efiicient manner.

in the outer face of the adjacent sprocket 89 so that the latter is normally rotated upon rotation of its shaft BI but can slip relative thereto upon undue obstruction to rotation thereof. Each plate 82 has a cover 96 (Fig. 7) removably secured thereto in any suitable manner and providing therewith a housing for the adjacent sprockets 81 and 90 and chain 88. The hub of each sprocket 87 and the adjacent ball carrying member of the slip clutch 99 project outwardly through suitable openings in the cover 96 and are secured to the shaft SI and the sleeve 90 which, together with the shaft 92, also project outwardly through said openings.

In accordance with the present invention mean are provided for separating and continuously maintaining in separated condition portions of the supply or pile of sheets from the remainder thereof in such manner as to prevent scratching or marring of the sheets while at the same time enabling them to be separatedand forwarded Said means are preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. Each plate 02 is provided in its forward end with openings 91 (Fig. 16) through which extend screws 98 threaded in suitable threaded openings 99 of a box cam I90 and serving to secure said cam in stationary position on the inner face of the forward end of said plate. The shaft 92 (Figs. 16 to 19, inclusive) projects loosely through a suitable opening IN 9 formed in the fixed box cam I00 centrally thereof,

and the cam groove I02 of said cam has extending therein a roller I03 that is journalled on a pin I09 of a cam lever I05. 1

The cam lever I05 is provided with a pin I06 forming a pivot therefor and journalled in a suitable opening I0'I formed in a solid end I08 of a substantially cylindrical sheet separating or lifting member I09 that is secured to or formed integrally with the shaft 92 and is rotated thereby. The member I09 is slotted or hollowed out through its inner end and a portion of its periphery to provide a sheet receiving pocket I I0 for the sheets as they are separated or lifted from the supply by said member in a manner to be presently described. The member I09 is further provided with an enlarged segmental truncated end III slotted-axially in coincidence with the pocket H0 and having a rounded or unsharpened sheet separating or lifting point I I2.

The member I09 has mounted thereon for rotation therewith and relatively thereto a sleeve II3 provided therein with a slot II l coincident with the pocket I I0 formed in the member I09. A segmental enlargement II5 of the sleeve II3 bears against a shoulder IIB formed by the truncated end III of the member I09. The segmental enlargement I I5 is provided with a sharp sheet separating point I I1 located adjacent the point I I2 of the member I09. The end of the sleeve I I3 opposite that provided with the segmental enlargement I I5 is provided with a circular enlargement I I8 projecting beyond the end I08 of the member I09 and provided with a notch II9 that receives the free end I20 of the cam lever I05.

The element I09 constitutes a main sheet separating or lifting element and the member II3 constitutes an auxiliary sheet separating element. Through rotation of said elements by the shaft 92 and the cam lever I05 connecting them, the stationary box cam I00 rotates member II3 relative to member I09 so as to enter point I I1 in the pile of sheets 25 prior to entry of the point H2 therein and so as to retract point In relative to point I I2 after entry thereof into the pile so that the lifting and separating action is completed solely by the point I I2.

This operation will be more clearly understood by reference to Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive of the drawings wherein it will be noted that as shown in Fig. 11 points H2 and II? have just passed out of the corner of the supply of sheets 25 and point II! is advancing relative to point II 2. During rotation of the parts from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 12 point In is fully advanced and, as shown in Fig. 13, point II'I enters the corner of the pile of sheets in advance of point II2 to facilitate the entry of the latter into the pile. As shown in Fig. 14, point II2 has entered the corner of the pile of sheets and point I IT has retracted at which time point I I2 begins to lift the sheets so that they pass through slot I It .of sleeve II3 into the pocket I II] of the member I09. Through continued rotation of the parts, the sheets are raised solely by the point I I2 out of the pocket I I0, as shown in Fig. 15, and on to the segmental truncated end III of the member I09, as shown in Figs. 20 to 24 inclusive of the drawings. Portions or corners of the sheet supply are thus continuously lifted and maintained in position on the segmental truncated ends I I I of members I09 for the action of combing devices which are indicated broadly at I2I. As herein shown there are two combing devices I2I which are located adjacent upper rear corners of the pile of sheets and act to comb their side edges outwardly. Since the constructions of the two combing devices are identical, a description of one will suffice for both.

Each combing device I2I is preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. Fixed on the shaft IQ of each separator unit 43 within the housing thereof is a cam I22 (Fig. 6) which bears against a roller I23 journalled on one arm I24 of a bell crank I25having another arm I26 projecting forwardly of the separator housing through a suitable opening in the cover plate 60 thereof. The bell crank I25 is journalled on the shaft BI and the spur gear 00, fixed on said shaft, has compounded therewith a bevel gear I2'I which meshes with a similar gear I28 that is fixed on a short shaft I29. This short shaft I29 is journalled in a suitable bearing on the bell crank arm I26 and projects forwardly thereof beyond said arm and the separator housing to a point above the adjacent corner lifting or separating device comprised by the elements I09 and H3. Fixed on the projecting end of each short shaft I29 is a combing wheel I30. The combing wheels I30 are rotated in the direction of the arrows indicated in Fig. 24through the described driving connections for said wheels with the shafts I9 that are driven, as above described, from the power transmission units 44.

Each bell crank arm I26 has pivotally connected therewith at I3I a vertically disposed spring pressed rod I32. The upper end of the rod I32 is guided in an eye bolt I33 (Figs. 5 and 7) secured for vertical adjustment in any suitable manner on the guide 69. The spring for rod I32 is indicated at I34 and mounted thereon between the eye bolt I33 and the pivotal connection for the rod with bell crank arm I26. The spring pressed rods I32 impart downward movement to the bell crank arms I26 and the combing wheels I03 and upward movement is imparted thereto by the cams I22 through their engagement with the rollers I23 on the bell crank arms I24. The combing wheels I30 are thus spring operated in one direction and cam operated in the opposite direction and the pressure of springs I34 may be adjusted by vertically adjusting the eye bolts I33. Once during each cycle of operation of the feeder, andat the proper time, the combing wheels I are lowered on to the sheets that rest on the segmental truncated end portions I I I of the members I09 and effect a preliminary separation of the top sheet through outward pulling action on opposite side edges thereof. After preliminary separation of the top sheet has been effectd by the combing wheels I30 they are raised and the sheet is then gripped and separated by suction sheet separating devices two of which are herein shown and located adjacent upper rear corner portions of v the pile of sheets 25. Since the constructions of the two suction sheet separating devices are identical a description of one will suffice for both.

Each suction sheet separating device is preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. Each shaft 19 has fixed on the outwardly projecting end thereof a cam I35 (Figs. '1 and 9) which engages'a roller'I36 journalled on one arm I31 of a bell crank lever I38 which is pivoted at v I39 on the side plate 58 and is provided with another arm I40 curved forwardly and downwardly at its front end. Pivotally connected as at I4I on the curved lower forward end of the bell crank arm I40 is the lower end of a link I42. The upper end of link I42 is pivotally connected as at I43 with one end of a link I44 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected as at I45 with a latch carrying arm I46. This latch carrying arm I46 is pivotally mounted as at I41 on a bi acket I48 that is secured in any suitable manner to, or formed integrally with, the slide 69 and projects forwardly therefrom. Pivotally connected as at I49 with the arm I40 of bell crank I38 is the lower end of a vertical spring pressed rod I50. The upper end of rod I50 is guided in an eye-bolt I5I secured for vertical adjustment in any suitable manner on the slide 69. The spring I52 for the rod I50 is mounted thereon between the pivotal connection I49 and the eyebolt I5I.

The suction sheet separating devices proper are indicated broadly at I53 and said devices are constructed and operated in the same manner as the suction sheet separating devices shown in the United States Patent No. 1,475,621 above referred to. It is therefore unnecessary to describe the suction sheet separating devices in detail although it may be pointed out that each of the same comprises a rubber suction sheet engaging cup I54 secured to and in communication with an arcuate shaped member I55 having telescoping action and communication with a hollow arcuate shaped housing I56. The housing I56 is provided thereon with a pile engaging foot I51 and is secured on and communicates with the lower end of a pipe I58 that is clamped at I59 on an extension I60 of the link I42.

It will thus appear that the bell crank arms I40 are raised by the cams I35 and are lowered by the spring pressed rods I50, thus raising and lowering the suction sheet separating devices I53 at intervals such that following combing of the top sheet, the feet I51 engage the pile of sheets 25 and the cups I54 engage the combed sheet and bend it up about the feet I51 through vacuum retraction of members I55 into housings I56. Thereupon the devices I53 are lifted to further separate the sheet. When the devices I53 have separated and lifted a sheet it is acted upon by sheet forwarding devices hereinafter described at which time the devices I53 are released from the sheet. The members I55 are thereupon moved outwardly and downwardly relative'to housings I56 by springs (not shown).

Itfrequently happens that after the feeder has been started it is necessary or desirable to adjust the angular position of the suction sheet separators for more effective and accurate separation. This is particularly true when the sheets at the top of the pile are curled or wavy, and in accordance with the present invention such angular adjustment of the suction sheet separators may be made while the feeder is in operation, thus avoiding loss of time and production. These adjustments are made by swinging the latch carrying aims I46 (Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7 and 9) about their pivots I41 and locking said arms when the devices I53 and their sheet engaging cups I54 have been adjusted to the proper or desired angular positions with respect to the top of the pile of sheets 25. Each device I53 may be adjusted independently .of the other and, accordingly, each arm I46 has pivoted thereon at I6I (Fig. 7) a latch I62 extending transversely under the bracket I48. The free end of the latch I62 has connected therewith the lower end of a spring I63 (Fig. 5) the upper end of which is secured to the pivot I41 of arm I46.

Secured to or formed integrally with the bracket I48 on the under side thereof is a rack I64 having teeth I65 betweenany two of which a tooth I66 of the latch I62 may be engaged selectively through depression of the latch by its handle I61 and swinging movement of the same and the arm I46 about the pivot I41. swinging movement of arm I46 imparts corresponding movement to the links I44 and I42 thereby swinging the separator I53 about the pivot I4I to the desired angular position. The separator is then locked in said position through release of the handle I61 and action of the spring I63 which causes the tooth I66 on latch I62 to engage the adjacent teeth I65 of rack I64. Excess movement of the arm I46 in one direction is prevented by a pin I68 on bracket I48 and excess movement of the arm I46 in the opposite direction is prevented by the bottom of the slide 69. Various positions of adjustment of the-arm I46 and the separator I53 are indicated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

During operation of the combing wheels I30 to comb the sheets outwardly, the top of the pile is winded from the rear thereof by pile winding devices I69 (Figs. 1, 2, '7 and 8) through which air blasts are directed. The air blasts are cut off just prior to or about the time each sheet is gripped by the separating cups I54 and said winding devices I69 extend forwardly of and are secured to or formed integrally with vertical pipes I10. The pipes I10 are secured for vertical adjustment in clamps III which, in turn, are secured by bolts I12 on T-shaped brackets I13. These brackets I13 are secured, as by bolts I14, to plates 58 and are spaced therefrom by spacer elements I15 located on said bolts between said plates and the brackets.

After each sheet is separated by the cups I54 and while it is being advanced by the sheet forwarding devices hereinafter described, the sheet is winded from below by sheet winding devices which also act as foot clamps or hold downs and are preferably operated and mounted as follows. Located outwardly of the cams I35 and fixed on the outwardly projecting ends of shafts I9 are cams I16 (Figs. 1, '7 and 8) which engage rollers Such Ill journalled on arms I79 that are pivoted at I79 on the plates 59. These arms I I9 have pivoted thereto at I89 corresponding ends of spring pressed rods IBI the opposite ends of which are guided in suitable openings formed in studs I92 secured in any suitable manner to the lower ends of the brackets I73. The springs I83 for the rods I8I are mounted thereon between the studs I82 and collars I89 secured in any suitable manner on said rods. It will thus appear that the arms IIB are cam operated in one direction and spring operated in the opposite direction about their pivots I79 on the plates 58.

The arms I'I9 have pivoted thereto at I85 cam links I86 through the cam grooves IB'I of which extend reduced rounded portions of the spacer elements I75 for the forward bolts Il l that secure the brackets I73 to the plates 99. Bolted or otherwise suitably secured as at I98 to the cam links I86 are clamps I89 in which are secured for vertical adjustment, as by clamp screws l99, pipes I9I the lower ends of which have secured thereto or formed integrally therewith forwardly extending combined blow pipes and foot clamps H92.

Through rocking movement of arms I78 and the action of the cam grooves I91 in cam links I86 the latter are moved downwardly, inwardly, outwardly and upwardly once during each cycle of operation of the machine. This results in corresponding movements of the combined blow pipes and foot clamps I92, their downward and inward movement occurring after each sheet is separated and resulting in a clamping action of the blow pipes and foot clamps on the top of the pile to prevent displacement of any underlying sheet while the separated sheet is being winded and forwarded. When the blow pipes and foot clamps are clamped upon the top of the pile below the separated sheet, the latter has been gripped by the forwarding devices and blasts of air are then directed under the sheet while it is being forwarded to instrumentalities hereinafter described. The. blasts of air through the foot clamps and blow pipes I92 are then cut off whereupon they move outwardly and upwardly for repetition of the cycle and operation on the next sheet in proper timed relation with the operation of the sheet separating and forwarding devices.

When each sheet is separated and lifted by the separating devices I53, and while blasts of air are being directed through blow pipes and foot clamps I92 under the sheet, said sheet is gripped by sheet forwarding devices indicated broadly at I93 at which time the sheet separating devices I53 are released from the sheet for action thereof on the next sheet. The sheet forwarding devices I93, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention herein shown, feed each separated sheet forwardly under and in lapped relation with a preceding separated and forwarded sheet to provide a stream of lapped sheets moving continuously from the pile to sheet feeding and conveying means hereinafter described that feed the stream of lapped sheets continuously to a printing press or other machine with which the feeder is associated.

The sheet forwarding devices I93 (Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive) are preferably of the type disclosed in the application of Leonard Baker, George A. Martin and Leo C. Williams, Serial No. 116,692, filed December 19, 1936, and said devices are preferably mounted and operated as follows. Mounted on and slidable along one of the side members I9 and the driven shaft 39 is a bracket I99 between the arms I95 of which is located a barrel cam I96 that is keyed to and slidable along said shaft with said bracket. The cam groove l9? of cam I96 has extending therein a roller I98 that is journalled on an arm I99 fixed on one closed end of a tubular rock shaft 299 journalled in the bracket I99 at the under side thereof. The opposite closed end of the tubular rock shaft 299 is journalled in a bracket 29I mounted on and slidable along the side member I9 opposite that which carries the bracket I99. The tubular rock shaft 299 is also journalled in a bracket 292 mounted on and slidable along a bar 293 located above said rock shaft and extending longitudinally of the feeder centrally and at the top there of. One end of the bar 293 is secured on a bracket 299 mounted on the stay shaft I2 and the opposite end of said bar is secured in any suitable manner on the feeder frame at the top and front thereof.

Extending transversely of the feeder and secured in any suitable manner in the brackets I99 and 29I is a cross shaft 295 on which are slidably and rotatably mounted the forked upper ends of arms 296. Keyed to and slidable along the rock shaft 299 are the forked upper ends of arms 291. The shafts 299 and 295 have loosely mounted thereon between the forked upper ends of the arms 296 and 29? links 298 whereby said arms and all parts carried thereby including the forwarding devices I93 may be adjusted transversely of the feeder to any desired position and there secured, as by set screws 299, for operation by the cam I96 and the rock shaft 299.

In accordance with the present invention the sheet forwarding devices I99 have reciprocating motion imparted thereto by the rock shaft 299 and parallelogram systems of arms 296, 297 and horizontal links 2I9. The horizontal links 2I9 are pivotally connected at 2 and H2 with the lower ends of arms 296 and 297 and project rearwardly of the latter. The links 2I9 are provided on their rearwardly projecting ends with bosses 2I3 in which are slidably mounted for vertical adjustment, the vertically disposed cylinders 2H5 of the sheet forwarding devices I93. These cylinders 2M communicate with and have secured to the lower ends thereof hollow bosses 2 I5 which also communicate with and have secured thereto the lower ends of vertical tubes 2I6. The tubes 2I6 have upper threaded ends which extend through suitable openings in the'bosses 2I3 and carry thereabove adjusting nuts 2 I I and lock nuts 2I8 which support the sheet forwarding devices I93 on the rearwardly projecting ends of links 2I9 and enable said devices to be vertically adjusted in said bosses.

The sheet forwarding devices I93, as in the case of the similar devices shown in application Serial No. 116,692 above referred to are provided in the cylinders 2H5 thereof with hollow piston stems 2I9 which project downwardly through suitable openings in the bottom of said cylinders and carry rubber sheet engaging and forwarding cups 229 communicating with said stems and said cylinders. The stems 2I9 and cups 229 are actuated downwardly by vacuum to engage the sheets and are actuated upwardly by vacuum and preferably with the aid of springs (not shown) when said cups have gripped a sheet.

The sheet forwarding devices I93 and the operating means therefor are, as clearly shown in the drawings, located at the top and rear of the feeder and grip eachseparated and winded sheet at the rear thereof. The forwarder operating means are accordingly so timed with relation to the other mechanisms of the feeder that the forwarding devices I93 are moved rearwardly by the barrel cam I96 and rock shaft 290 to engage the separated and winded sheet whereupon the latter, being released by the separator cups I54, is then forwarded by forward motion of the forwarding devices I93 imparted thereto by said barrel cam and said rock shaft. The forwarded sheet is delivered under and in lapped relation with a preceding sheet to the sheet feeding and I conveying means hereinafter described, whereupon the cups 220 are released from the sheet and returned rearwardly by the described forwarder operating means for action upon the next separated and windedsheet.

Suitable means (Fig. 3) are provided for supplying'air under pressure at predetermined intervals through the blow pipes I69 and foot clamps I92, and for creating and breaking vacuum at predetermined intervals in the sheet separating devices I53 and the sheet forwarding devices I93 and as herein shown said means are preferably mounted on and comprised by the following instrumentalities. Located at each side of the feeder near the front and bottom thereof and secured in any suitable manner to the front uprights 5 is a bracket 22|. Each bracket 22| has bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto corresponding ends of cross beams 222 which have mounted thereon and secured thereto in any suitable manner a heavy metal plate 223 providing a drip pan for devices carried thereby including an electric motor 224. This motor 224 is connected with any suitable source of current and controlled for starting and stopping purposes by any suitable switch means (not shown).

The motor 224 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the plate 222 and fixed on the projecting end of its armature shaft 225 is a sprocket 226. Pas-sing around sprocket 226 and driven thereby is a chain 221'which also passes around a sprocket 228 on the projecting end of the shaft 229 of a combined air and vacuum pump 239 of well known construction and needing no detailed description herein. The pump 239 is driven by motor 224 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the plate 223. The air side 23| and vacuum side 232 of pump 230 are connected by the usual conduit 233. The air side 23| of the pump 238 has connected therewith one end of a conduit 234 the opposite end. of which is connected with a tank 235 for storage of compressed air produced by said pump. The tank 235 is mounted on, and secured in any suitable manner to, the under side of the plate 223 and connected with said tank is one end of a conduit 236. The opposite end of conduit 236 is connected with the lower extremity of a vertical conduit 23! extending upwardly at one side of the feeder and "having its upper extremity connected with a short conduit 238 formed in one of the front heads 1. This same head I has formed therein a rearwardly extending horizontal conduit 239 communicating with the conduit 238 and connected with a rigid tubular conduit 249 secured to said head and extending rearwardly therefrom between the adjacent side members 9 and I8. Connected to and having telescopic relation with the conduit 240 is a conduit 2 that is connected with a conduit 242 which, in turn, is connected with the upper part of the hollow housing 243 of the rotary valve mechanism 42. This rotary valve mechanism 42 controls delivery of air under pressure to the pile and sheet winddevices or nozzles I69.

therewith. The rotary valve mechanisms 4| and 42 are mounted on the hollow cross bar 36 as previously described.

The rotary valve mechanism 42 and the rotary valve mechanism 4| are of substantially the same construction and operation as the rotary valve mechanism disclosed in the application Serial No. 116,692 above referred to except that in the present case thevacuum controlling valves are separate from the air controlling valves and the two are comprised by the separate units 4| and 42, respectively. The conduit 242, as previously described, is connected with the upper part of the hollow housing 243 of valve mechanism 42, and located at one side of said housing is a rotary valve 244. Valve 244 controls the delivery of air under pressure at predetermined intervals from the upper part of housing 243 to a conduit 245 connected with the lower part of said housin (Fig. 2). The conduit 245 is supported in proper position by the housing 243 and by a similar part of the valve mechanism 4| in which it is mounted in any suitable manner.

The valve 244 is connected with and rotated by a driving disk 246 which is secured to and rotated by the shaft 49 extending through valve mechanism 42 and bracket 35 and driven by the described driving connections for said shaft with the driven shaft 34. The conduit 245 has connected thereto and communicating therewith corresponding ends of flexible conduits 241 the opposite ends of which are connected to and communicate with the pipes I18 of the pile winding It will thus appear that by means of the housing 243, valve 244, and the described connections for said valve with the air side 23| of pump 239 and the pile winding devices or nozzles I69, air under pressure will be delivered at predetermined intervals through said devices or nozzles in order to wind upper rear portions of the pile of sheets 25 during operation of the combing wheels I39 thereon.

The air under pressure delivered to the foot clamps and blow pipes I92 to wind each sheet separated by the separating devices I53 is conducted and controlled in the following manner. The housing 243 has a hollow part 248 thereof communicating with the hollow cross bar 36. Air under pressure is delivered periodically from the housing through the part 248 thereof into the cross bar 36, the delivery of the compressed air therein being controlled by a rotary valve 249 mounted on the shaft 40 at one side of the housing 243 and in cooperative relation with said housing and the part 248 thereof. The valve 249 is connected with and rotatedby a driving disk 259 which, in turn, is fixed on and rotated by the shaft 40. The hollow cross bar 36 has connected thereto and communicating therewith corre' sponding ends of flexible conduits 2 5I the opposite ends of which are connected to and communicate with the pipes |9| of the hollow foot clamps and blow pipes I92.

It will thus appear that by the valve 249, the housing 243, the housing part 248, and the described connections therefor with the air side 23| of pump 236 and the blow pipes and foot clamps I92, blasts of air will be delivered under each sheet separated by the devices I53 and gripped by the devices I93. It will further appear that said air may be shut off by valve 249 at or about the time the sheet has been completely forwarded by the devices I93 so that said air can assist said devices in forwarding the sheet.

Vacuum is created and broken in the sheet separating devices I53 at predetermined intervals so that they function to grip and release the sheets successively as hereinbefore described. For this purpose, the vacuum side 232 of the pump 23!] has connected therewith one end of a conduit 252 the opposite end of which is connected with the lower extremity of a vertical conduit 253 disposed at the side of the feeder opposite that where the conduit 231 is located. The upper extremity of the conduit 253 is connected with a short conduit 254 formed laterally in the adjacent head 1 and leading outwardly therethrough. This conduit 256 is connected with a horizontal conduit 255 formed in the last mentioned head 1 and extending outwardly through the rear thereof. Connected with the conduit 255 in any suitable manner is a rigid conduit 256 disposed between the adjacent side members 9 and I6 and having connected thereto in telescoping relation therewith a conduit 251 that is also located between said side members. The conduit 251 is connected at the rear thereof with a conduit 258 extending transversely of the feeder and connected with upper part of the hollow housing 259 of the valve mechanism 6|.

Mounted on the driven shaft 60 at one side of the housing 259 is a rotary valve 260 for establishing communication at intervals between the upper part of said housing and a chamber formed. in an extension 26I thereof. The rotary valve 260 is connected with and rotated by a driving disk 262 that is fixed on the shaft 60 and rotated thereby. The shaft 60 extends through the rotary valve mechanism M and has a bearing in the housing 259 thereof. Connected with said chamber of the extension 26I of housing 259 are the corresponding ends of flexible conduits 263 the opposite ends of which are connected with the pipes I58 of the suction sheet separating devices I53.

It will thus appear that by the valve 260, the housing 259, the chambered extension 26I. and the described connections therefor between the vacuum side 232 of pump 230 and the pipes I58 of sheet separating devices I53, vacuum will becreated and broken in said sheet separating devices so that they grip each sheet to separate and lift it and release the lifted sheet to return toward the pile and act on the next sheet when the preceding separated and lifted sheet has been engaged by the sheet forwarding devices I93 and is moved forwardly thereby.

Vacuum is created and broken in the sheet forwarding devices I93 at predetermined intervals so that they grip the separated sheets successively, releaseeach sheet when it is forwarded,

and engage the next sheet to forward it in lapped relation with the preceding sheet. For this purpose there is mounted on the driven shaft 40 at the side of the hollow housing 259 opposite that engaged by the valve 260, a rotary valve 264 connected with and driven by a driving disk 265 that is fixed on and rotated by the shaft 40., The valve 264 controls communication between the source of vacuum in housing 259 and a separate lower hollow part thereof having connected therewith one end of a flexible conduit 266. The opposite end of the conduit 266 is connected with an annular passage 261 formed in the bracket 262 and communicating with the interior of the hollow rock shaft 200 through aaoasoa a port 268 formed therein. The hollow rock shaft 260, as previously described, extends through and is journalled in the bracket 202. and connected with the interior of said hollow rock shaft at opposite sides of said bracket are corresponding ends of flexible conduits 269. The opposite ends of conduits 269 are, in turn, connected with the pipes 2I6 that are connected to and in communication with the cylinders 2I4 of the sheet forwarding devices I93.

It will thus appear that by the rotary valve 264, the hollow housing 259 and its hollow lower part, and the described connections therefor with the vacuum side 232 of pump 230 and the cylinders 2I l of the sheet forwarding devices I93, vacuum will be automatically created and broken in said sheet forwarding devices at predetermined intervals such that each separated sheet may be gripped by the cups 220 at the rearmost positions thereof, forwarded successively under and in lapped relation with a preceding forwarded sheet, and released for rearward travel of said cups and their gripping and forwarding action on the next sheet. Each sheet gripped, forwarded, and released by the devices I93 is de livered under and in lapped relation with a preceding sheet to sheet feeding and conveying means that conveys a stream of the lapped sheets to the printing press or other machine with which the feeder is associated. This sheet feeding and conveying means is preferably constructed and operated as follows.

Extending transversely of the feeder near the top and front of the pile of sheets 25 is an upwardly and forwardly curved plate 210 (Figs. 1 and 2) over which the sheets pass during movement imparted thereto by the sheet forwarding devices I93. This plate 210 is provided in its upper front edge with notches 21I in which the jogger fingers 21 are operated. The plate 216 has each end thereof secured in any suitable manner, to a bracket 212 which, in turn, is secured in any suitable manner to the adjacent front head 1 of the feeder frame near the top thereof.

Extending transversely of the feeder adjacent the forward upper edge of the curved plate 210 is a feed roller 213 that is journalled in any suitable manner in brackets 212 and the front heads 1. This feed roller 213 is rotated continuously and at slow speed by any suitable source of power connected therewith. Located above the feed roller 213 are pressure rollers 214 which cooperate with said feed roller to receive the forwarded sheets in lapped relation as before described and feed a stream of the lapped sheets forwardly. The pressure rollers 214 are journalled ,on arms 215 adjustably secured on a cross shaft 216 having its opposite ends mounted in any suitable manner in the front heads 1. The stream of lapped sheets is fed by the rollers 213 and 214 over a plate 211 which extends transversely of the feeder forwardly of said rollers and has its opposite ends secured in any suitable manner on the brackets 212.

The stream of lapped sheets fed over the plate 211 is delivered thereby on to a continuously driven, slow moving conveyor including driven tapes 218 that advance the stream of lapped sheets continuously to the printing or other machine which takes the front upper sheets successively from the stream and acts upon them in like manner to print or otherwise treat and deliver them. The front ends of the tapes pass around a suitable roller or rollers (not shown) adjacent the printing or other machine, and the 75 I rear ends of said tapes pass around and are driven by roller 219 having the same surfacespeed of rotation as that of roller 213 and driven from any suitable source of power. Roller 219 is journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 212 and the tapes 218 which pass around and are driven by said roller also pass around an idler roller 288 and tightening rollers 28I. The idler roller 289 extends transversely of the feeder and is journalled in any suitable manner on the front heads 1. The tightening rollers 28I are journalled on arms 282 adjustably fixed on a cross shaft 283 so as to provide the proper or desired tension on the slow moving conveyor tapes 218. The cross shaft 283 has its opposite ends secured in any suitable manner in the front heads 1, and located above the idler roller 288 is a second idler roller 284 over which the tapes 218 also pass. Thisidler roller 284 supports the upper reaches of the tapes 218, and has its opposite ends journalled in any suitable manner on pins 285 secured to and projecting inwardly from the front heads 1 The operation of the feeder will be clearly understood from the foregoing description and may be briefly summarized as follows. The pile of sheets on the elevator is intermittently raised step by step to maintain the top of the pile at a predetermined level as sheets are separated and forwarded therefrom in succession by the described devices for this purpose.

The elements I89, I I3 for separating portions of the supply from the remainder thereof are rotated continuously and operated as described so that the rounded or unsharpened points I I2 and the sharpened points II1 repeatedly enter the supply and continuously maintain portions of the supply separated from .the remainder thereof. When the elevator is stationary the separating elements I99, H3 rotate idly into and out of the supply but at each step of elevation of the supply imparted thereto by the elevator, the elements I89, II3 pick up or separate additional sheets so that there is always continuously maintained, by said elements, separated portions of the supply resting on the truncated conical ends III of the elements I89.

The sharpened points II1 of elements II3 are, through the described means for this purpose, advanced relative to the rounded unsharpened points II2 of the elements I89 exteriorly of the supply or pile and enter the same prior to said points II2 to initiate the separating action. After entry of the sharpened points II1 into the pile they are retracted relative to the rounded or unsharpened points II2 by the described means for this purpose and separation of the portions of the supply from the remainder thereof is effected solely by the rounded or unsharpened points H2.

During operation of the pile corner separating elements I89, II3 the sheets first engaged thereby move into the pockets II8 through the openings I I4 but are thereafter lifted by the points H2 and. rest on segmental truncated conical inner ends III of the elements I89. During idle operation of the elements 189, II3, that is when the supply is stationary and said elements are not separating sheets therefrom and adding them to the portions of the supply .resting on the conical ends of elements I89, points H2 and 1 are advanced and retracted relatively so that only the rounded or unsharpened points I I2 contact the sheets and scratching or marring of the same is thereby prevented during repeated rotation of the elements I89 and H3.

The sheets resting on said conical ends of elements I89, as shown in Fig. 2, have their -outer edges combed outwardly in succession by the combing wheels I38, and during each operation of said combing wheels the upper rear portions of the pile of sheets 25 are winded by air blasts directed through the winding devices I69. The

air blasts through devices I69 are intermittent,

occurring just prior to and during operation of the combing wheels and being cut'ofi upon completion of the combing operation, all by the described air supply and valve control means for this purpose.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 20 the combing wheels I38 are combing the outer edges of the top sheet, and at the beginning of the combing operation the blow pipes and foot clamps I92 are resting on the top of the pile. During continued combing of the sheet, as shown in Fig. 21, the blow pipes and foot clamps I92 have the air blasts cut off therefrom and are raised off the pile and moved rearwardly thereof by the described means for this purpose. In the meantime, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 21, the sheet separating devices I53 have been lowered to engage their feet I51 with the top of the pile, the parts I55 having been telescoped outwardly and downwardly with relation to the parts I56 so that the cups I54 are in position to grip the topmost combed sheet.

Combing of the top sheet continues, as shown in Figs. 22 and 24, and as therein illustrated the sheet separating cups I54 grip the combed sheet at which time the blow pipes and foot clamps I92 are still disposed upwardly and outwardly of the rear and top of the pile. When the combed sheet is gripped by the cups I54 the parts I55 telescope upwardly and forwardly into the parts I56, thus bending up corner portions of the combed sheet about pile engaging feet I51 and lifting the intermediate portion of said sheet.

At this time comber wheels I38 and the sheet separating devices I53 in their entirety are raised in succession by the described means for this purpose, and assume the positions thereof shown in Fig. 23 wherein it will be noted that the entire rear edge of the combed sheet has been completely separated and lifted relative to the sheet below. While the lifted rear edge of the sheet is gripped by the cups I54 the blow pipes and foot clamps I92 are lowered and moved inwardly under said sheet on to the top of the pile whereupon blasts of air, controlled as before described, and directed through said blow pipes and foot clamps forwardly thereof wind the lifted sheet and complete the separation thereof.

At this time the sheet forwarding devices I93 have moved to their rearmost positions and grip rear portions of the lifted separated sheet which is then released from the cups I54 by breaking of vacuum therein through the described means for this purpose. The devices I93 now move forward carrying the separated sheet in the same direction therewith and air blasts from the foot vacuum tn said cups through the described means for this purpose, whereupon the forwarding devices I93 again move rearwardly to engage the next sheet which in the meantime has been combed, separated and lifted by the described means for this purpose. f

The above operations of the elevator, the rotary sheet separating elements I09, H3, the pile winding devices I69, the combing wheels I30, the suction sheet separating devices I53, the blow pipes and foot clamps I92, and the suction sheet forwarding devices I93 are repeated in the order described so that there is continuously supplied to the rollers 213 and 219 a stream of lapped sheets which, in turn, is moved slowly and continuously by the tapes 218 to the printing press or machine that takes the forward uppermost sheets successively from the stream for performance of the printing or other operation thereon anddelivery of the sheets in succession therefrom.

Vertical adjustment of the sheet separating units 93 in their entireties may be made as desired by rotation of the handles 13. Adjustment of one sheet separating unit may be made independently of the other and, morever, such adjustment of the sheet separating units may be made while the feeder is in operation and without disturbing the driving connections for the movable parts of the said units with the power transmission units 69. Further, the power transmission units 99, as well as many of the operating parts of the sheet separating units are enclosed in housings, thus meeting the requirements for protection of operators while, at the same time, preventing unnecessary wear on movable parts by exclusion of dust and dirt therefrom.

Further, through the provision of the power transmission units 49 and the slidable driving connections therefor with the sheet separating units, a simple and common source of power therefor, such as the driven shaft 39, may be arranged at one side of the feeder thus eliminating telescoping and other forms of driving connections heretofore required which have extended over the pile, obstructed observation of the operation of the sheet separating and forwarding devices and the making of repairs thereto, and have often spoiled sheets of the pile by dripping of oil thereon.

The sheet separating units 93 are not only adjustable vertically with respect to the pile but, with the power transmitting units M, are adjustable transversely of the feeder together orin- 1 dependently. These last mentioned adjustments may be made by moving said sheet separating and power transmission units manually along the hollow cross bar and clamping the upper housing members 95 to said bar, as by thumb screws 286. Transverse adjustment of the sheet separating units and the power transmission units may be made without disturbing the driving connections therebetween or the driving connections between said power transmission units and the shaft 39.

While the feeder is in operation, angular adjustment of the suction sheet separating devices I53 may be made, as previously described, by the adjusting handles I61. The angular adjustment of each suction sheet separating device I53 may be made independently of the other suction sheet separating device.

The power transmission units 34, the sheet separating units 63 and the sheet forwarding devices I93 may be adjusted as a unit forwardlyv and rearwardly of the machine in accordance with the length of'the sheets being handled in the feeder. For this purpose, the brackets 35 and 31 have secured thereto in any suitable manner corresponding ends of threaded rods 281 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The opposite ends of rods 281 pass through suitable openings in brackets I94 and 2M and are retained against displacement therefrom by locking and adjusting nuts 288 threaded on said rods at opposite sides of portions of said brackets disposed between said nuts. Disposed below the driving shaft 49 and journalled in suitable bearings in the brackets 35 and 31 which carry said shaft, is a shaft 299 (Figs. 1 and 2) having fixed thereto at the inner side of the bracket 35 a hand wheel 290. Fixed on the shaft 289 at the outer sides of brackets 35 and 31 are spur pinions 2! which mesh with spur gears 292 that are fixed on short shafts 293 journalled in any suitable manner on said brackets. The short shafts 293 also have fixed thereon spur pinions 294 the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of racks 295 secured to or formed on the bottom portions of the side members I0 (Fig. 1).

It will thus appear that through the rod connections 281 between brackets 35, 31 and brackets I99, 2M, and through the described driving connections for shaft 289 with the spur pinions 294, the latter may be rotated by the hand wheel 290 in either direction to move said brackets in the corresponding direction along the side members Ill and the driving shaft 34, through engagement of the teeth of the spur pinions 294 with the teeth of the racks 295 on said side members.

Forward or rearward movement of the brackets 35, 31 and I94, 2M on the side members I0 results in corresponding movement of the sheet separating units 43 and their power transmission units 46, the sheet forwarding devices I93, and the described driving and operating parts thereof. Forward and rearward movements of said units and devices along side members ID are accomplished without disturbing the driving connections therefor with the shaft 34 since it will appear that during such movements the bevel gear 38 and the barrel cam I96 which are keyed on the shaft 36 slide therealong with the brackets 35 and I94. Further, forward and rearward adjustment of the sheet separating units 43 and the sheet forwarding devices I93 is effected without disturbing their pneumatic connections with the pump 230 for, as previously described, the conduits 2M and 251 are disposed in telescoping relation with the stationary conduits 240 and 256 and merely slide in and out of the latter in accordance with the direction of the adjustment of said units and devices.

The sheet forwarding devices I93 may be adjusted relative to as well as a unit with the sheet separating units 93 as, for example by loosening the locking and adjusting nuts 288, sliding the brackets I94 and ZIII along rods 281 with corresponding movement of thebarrel cam I96 and bracket I96 along shaft 35, and thereupon tightening said locking and adjusting nuts.

The sheet feeder of the present invention is capable of feeding a wide variety of sheets of 'various materials, dimensions and thicknesses .and in some instances, particularly in connection with the feeding of relatively thick sheets of cardboard or similar material, the use of the rotary sheet separating elements I09, H3 and the combing wheels I30 is not desirable or necessary. Said elements and wheels may therefore be raised above the pile out of operation and the bell crank arms I26 that carry comber wheels I30. By swinging the elements I09, 3, the; housings comprised by plates 82 and covers 96. and the driving parts in said housings upwardly about the shafts 8| corresponding upward movement is imparted to combing wheels I30 through engagement of said screws 295 with the extended pivots 291. Under these conditions the springs I34 are compressed and the rotary sheet separating elements I 09, H3 and the combing wheels I30 are held in raised inoperative positions by latches 298 which are pivoted on the stops '83 of plates 82 and engaged with the under, flat sides 84 of the pins 85 upon upward'movement of said rotary elements andwheels to their inoperative positions aforesaid.

When the rotary sheet separating elements I09, H3 and the combing wheels I30 are raised to and held in their inoperative positions as above described, they continue to rotate, and to prevent interference between wheels I30 and the truncated ends III of elements I09, the screws 296 are adjusted to keep the wheels out of contact with said conical endsof elements W9. Further, in the operative positions of the rotary sheet separating elements and combing wheels, to which they are returned upon releasing latches 298 from pins 85, screws 296 prevent springs. I36 from forcing wheels I30 into engagement with the conical ends III of elements we as, for ex-- ample, when the feeder is first started and no.

sheets have been separated and raised into position on the conical ends of said elements "It. The present invention has been herein described and illustrated with more or less particularity in connection with the embodiment shown and comprising a stream feeder. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the present invention'is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof herein illustrated and described or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a sheet feeder, means for maintaining opposite corner portions of a sheet supply spaced therefrom for action of sheet combing means thereon and comprising two laterally spaced sets of main and auxiliary devices for separating sheets from the supply and adding them to said opposite corner portions to replace sheets separated and forwardedi'n succession relative to said supply, means for repeatedly moving the main and auxiliary devices into and out of the supply to separate and add the sheets as aforesaid, and means for causing the auxiliary devices to initiate the sheet separating and adding actions of the main devices comprising means for advancing and retracting said auxiliary and main devices relatively at predetermined intervals during their movement into and out of the supply.

In a sheet feeder, means for separating DDOSite corner portions of a sheet supply thereiliary devices into and out of the supply, and

means for rotatably and repeatedly advancing to solely complete the separation of the opposite corner portions of the supply from the remainder thereof.

3. In a sheet separating mechanism, rotary means for separating opposite corner portions of a sheet supply therefrom and supporting such separated portions adjacent combing means for combing action thereof on the sheets, said rotary means comprising a pair of main members arranged to act on the opposite corner portions of the sheet supply and having rounded or unsharpened sheet engaging points and a pair of auxiliary members arranged to act on said oppasite corner portions of said sheet supply and having sharpened sheet separating points, means for rotating the main and auxiliary members so that said points thereof move into and out of the supply, and means for advancing and retracting said contact with the sheets after entering the supply,

and enable said main members to solely complete the corner separating and solely produce the corner supporting operations aforesaid.

4. The combination of means adapted to separate and hold a corner portion of a supply ofsheets in position for action thereon of.,a sheet combing device, said means comprisinga' main device and an auxiliary device, mechanism for repeatedly moving the main and auxiliary devices into and out of the supply, and means for repeatedly advancing and retracting the main and auxiliary devices relatively whereby the auxiliary device may initiate the separating action of the main device and thereby prevent it from damaging the sheets.

5. In a sheet feeder, means for separating a portion of a supply of sheets from the remainder thereof and comprising a main element and an auxiliary element arranged for operation on the supply, means for operating said elements to separate said portion from said supply, and means for imparting relative movement to said elements during operation thereof so that one element initiates the separating operation and the other element completes it.

6. Mechanism for separating a pt rtion of a supply of sheets from the remainder thereof and comprising a main separating element and an auxiliary separating element cooperatively related therewith, means for repeatedly moving said elements into and out of the supply, and means for advancing and retracting said ele-- ments relatively during actuation thereof by said first named means. a

'7. Mechanism for separating a portion of a supply of sheets from the remainder thereof and comprising a main separating element and an auxiliary separating element cooperatively related therewith, means for repeatedly moving said elements into and out of the supply, and means for advancing the auxiliary element relative to the main element exteriorly of the supply and for retracting said auxiliary element rel- 

